An Eternal Investment

Vance Pitman

This is 20

Full Service Sermon Only Sermon Audio

Sep 12, 2021

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

In this message, Pastor Vance Pitman is back from sabbatical and continues our 20th anniversary celebration month as a church! He shares what God’s word teaches us about giving and making an eternal investment in what God is doing in and through us as a church!

Sermon Notes

THIS IS 20: An Eternal Investment

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

26

76

150

700+

4,000+

10,000,000

We don’t give to a church. We give through a church as an investment in God’s kingdom being expanded locally and globally.

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

GIVING IS A RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE

“…the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia.” (v. 1b)

Giving is worship

“Their giving was voluntary and spontaneous. It was of grace, not pressure. They gave because they had experienced the grace of God. Grace not only frees us from our sins, but it frees us from ourselves. The grace of God will open your heart and your hand.” – Warren Wiersbe

Giving is about the heart, not the pocket

“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.” – Psalm 50:10-12

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

“…for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7b

“And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’” – Mark 12:41-44

GIVING IS AN ACT OF FAITH

“For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means…” (v. 3a)

General Principle #1: Always a Portion

In obedience to Him, God’s people have always regularly given a portion of what God has given to them.

LIFE-CHANGING PERSPECTIVE: Giving a portion is not a requirement of the law; it is a privilege of the relationship!

General Principle #2: Sometimes a Sacrifice

In dependence on Him, God’s people have sometimes sacrificed to give beyond their ability.

III. GIVING IS A WAY TO SHARE IN GOD’S ACTIVITY

“begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” (v. 4)

GIVING IS A REFLECTION OF JESUS

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9

Sermon Notes

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